Robert F. Salkowski

Biography

Robert Salkowski is a partner at Zarco Einhorn Salkowski PA based in Miami, Florida. His practice focuses on Commercial Litigation and Franchise Law, representing businesses and individuals in disputes and complex business matters in courts across the United States.

Mr. Salkowski earned his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from George Washington University in 1988 and received his Juris Doctor from the University of Miami School of Law in 1991. After graduating from law school, he began his legal career in Tampa, Florida, where his work involved complex commercial litigation and bankruptcy matters representing creditors and trustees.

Before joining Zarco Einhorn Salkowski PA in 1995, Mr. Salkowski served as Counsel for Ocwen Financial Corporation in West Palm Beach, Florida. Since joining the firm, he has represented clients in a wide range of franchise and commercial disputes, including matters involving franchise relationships, business operations, and contractual conflicts.

Mr. Salkowski is admitted to practice in Florida and New Jersey, as well as several federal courts, including the U.S. District Court for the Southern and Middle Districts of Florida, the District of New Jersey, and the Northern District of Illinois. He is also admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court and multiple U.S. Courts of Appeals, including the Fifth, Ninth, Tenth, and Eleventh Circuits. His work has involved appearances in both state and federal courts throughout the country.

He is active in several professional organizations, including the Miami-Dade Bar Association, the American Bar Association, the International Franchise Association (IFA), the American Association of Franchisees and Dealers (AAFD), and the Coalition of Franchisee Associations (CFA). Mr. Salkowski is also a Fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America.

Current Employment Position

• Partner, Zarco Einhorn Salkowski PA, Miami, Florida

Practice Areas

• Commercial Litigation
• Franchise Law

Past Positions

• Counsel, Ocwen Financial Corporation, West Palm Beach, Florida

Honors & Awards

• Fellow, Litigation Counsel of America (LCA) National Trial Lawyers Honorary Society, Since 2025
• Included in Best Lawyers in America for Franchise Law and Commercial Litigation, 2006 to present
• Recognized as “Lawyer of the Year” in Franchise Law by Best Lawyers in America, 2014
• Named in Florida Super Lawyers for Franchise/Dealership and Business Litigation, 2012 to present
• Received Chambers USA National Ranking in Franchising (primarily Franchisee)
• AV Preeminent Rating for professional legal ability and ethical standards by Martindale-Hubbell/LexisNexis, since 2003
• Listed among the “Top 10 Influential Franchisee Lawyers in the USA,” Business Today, 2023
• Legal Eagles Hall of Fame, Franchise Times Magazine, since 2018
• “Legal Eagles,” Franchise Times Magazine, 2008 to present
• “Top Deal-Makers of the Year” in Real Estate Land Development, Daily Business Review, 2013
• Recognized as “Legal Elite” in Franchising by Florida Trend Magazine
• Who’s Who Legal (WWL) “Global Leader” in Franchise Law, 2015 to present
• Highlighted in South Florida’s Best Lawyers, 2009 to present
• Business Leader, 2011

Professional Associations

• Miami-Dade Bar Association, Member
• American Bar Association (ABA), Member
• International Franchise Association (IFA), Member
• American Association of Franchisees and Dealers (AAFD), Member
• Coalition of Franchisee Associations (CFA), Member

Education

• University of Miami School of Law, Coral Gables, Florida
  • J.D., Doctor of Jurisprudence, 1991
• George Washington University, Washington, District of Columbia
  • B.A., Bachelor of Arts, 1988
  • Major: Political Science

Bar Admissions

• U.S. Supreme Court
• Florida
• New Jersey
• U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida
• U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida
• U.S. District Court, District of New Jersey
• U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois
• U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit
• U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
• U.S. Court of Appeals, Tenth Circuit
• U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit

Classes & Seminars

• “Advanced Franchise Litigation Intensive — Identifying, Obtaining, and Introducing Key Evidence at Trial,” American Bar Association (ABA) 48th Annual Forum on Franchising, Orlando, FL, 2025
• “Field Stories from Mediations in Franchise Systems, Successes and Challenges,” IBA/IFA Annual Joint Conference, Washington, D.C., May 2024
• “Franchising in the Legislative and Regulatory Spotlight,” IFA Legal Symposium, Washington, D.C., May 2024
• “Do You Want to Litigate in London or Timbuktu? Negotiating and Settling International Franchise Disputes Before Arbitration or Litigation Heats Up,” 44th Annual ABA Forum on Franchising, Atlanta, GA, October 2021
• Co-Speaker, “Financial Performance Representations in a COVID-19 World,” IFA Annual Convention, January 2021
• “Basics of Franchisee Bankruptcy,” 40th Annual ABA Forum on Franchising, Palm Desert, CA, October 2017
• “Structured Workouts: Franchisor Strategies For Dealing with Financially Troubled Franchisees,” 38th Annual ABA Forum on Franchising, New Orleans, LA, October 2015
• “2015 Judicial Update,” IFA Legal Symposium, Chicago, IL, May 2015
• “Multi-Unit Mergers & Acquisitions,” Franchise Update’s 15th Annual Multi-Unit Franchising Conference, Las Vegas, NV, April 2015
• “Resolving Franchise Disputes,” IFA Annual Convention, Las Vegas, NV, February 2015
• “Making the Case for Franchise Standards Beyond ‘Because I Said So’,” IFA Legal Symposium, Chicago, IL, May 2014
• “Survey of Franchise Litigation Development and Trends,” Hospitality Law Conference, Houston, TX, February 2014
• “Vicarious Liability of Hotel Owners,” Hospitality Law Conference, Houston, TX, February 2012
• “The Five Most Litigated Provisions in the Franchise Disclosure Document,” ABA Forum on Franchising Annual Meeting, Baltimore, MD, October 2011
• “The Franchise Debate,” Hospitality Law Conference, Houston, TX, February 2011
• “Franchise Litigation,” International Franchise Association (IFA) Legal Symposium, Washington, D.C., May 2010
• “The Franchise Debate,” Hospitality Law Conference, Houston, TX, February 2010
• “Determining the Rules of Engagement in Litigation Here and Abroad,” ABA Forum on Franchising Annual Meeting, Austin, TX, October 2008
• “Professionalism in Franchise Law,” Florida Bar Franchise Seminar, Miami, FL, January 2003